Those of you who costume for mid-Victorian through Great War will be familiar with side-buttoning boots. They’re iconic and beautiful, but can be a little tricky to get closed if you don’t…
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An Early 1880s “Anna Karenina” Winter Outfit via Armstreet.com
I have a slightly inexplicable love of Slavicn-inspired Victorian and Edwardian clothing. The cold weather rolls around and I just feel compelled to make something with a lot of braidwork or trim,…
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Spotlight on Tango Boots – Video!
I made a video! I know that doesn’t seem like a big deal in today’s hugely visual world, but I worked *all day* on this and I’m proud of it, even if…
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My New Victorian Corset by Anachronism in Action
Over my years of historical costuming, I’ve learned enough about corsetry to know I know nothing. This is engineering to a T, with bust-to-waist ratios, shaping, materials knowledge and use, construction techniques,…
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Early Victorian Slippers (to Get Excited About)
Women’s slippers, c. 1850 – LACMA Today’s post is all about slippers worn c. 1820s – 1850s (so a little pre-Victorian). Surprisingly ladies shoes remained fairly unchanged during this time. Shoes were…
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Auditioning for the Donner Party
Just on a lark, a few of us Great Basin Costume ladies went to an audition for a Donner Party documentary filming this year. We were in costume and all got callbacks,…
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Late 1860s at the P.E.O Sisterhood’s Founder’s Day Luncheon
This past weekend I attended a lovely event where a few members of our local costuming group, Great Basin Costume Society, were invited to dress in 1860s costume to represent the founders…
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A Mid-to-Late 1860s Elliptical Hoop Skirt
One of the things that became obvious with my purple 1860s gown was that my underpinnings were no longer doing the job. Due to shortage of fabric, I cut my 1860s skirt…
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“Renoir” Civil War Photo Shoot with Eras of Enchantment
Last October I had the opportunity to shoot with one of my regular, gorgeous models, Liza. You might remember her from our Gibson and Astoria shoots last year. This shoot was special,…
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The Late 1860s Aubergine Ballgown
Me and Kristen at the ball – photo by Nevada Live Magazine I couple weekends ago I was all a-tussle finishing the evening bodice for my new purple 1860s gown. I intended…
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Introducing “Belleclaire” Edwardian Pumps – Pre-Order!
Darlings, meet “Belleclaire,” our second Exclusive design chosen by you! Based on a pair of 1900-1910 satin pumps in Les Arts Decoratifs, these Edwardian stunners will pair wonderfully with any formal attire,…
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Introducing “Victoria” Carriage Boots
Today’s post is all about carriage boots. I’m maybe a little TOO excited about our new “Victoria” Carriage Boots…I’m…well…wearing them right now. They went to Starbucks with me this morning, and now…
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1860s Purple People Eater – Finished, Just Barely! and the Magic of Gored Skirts
This past Tuesday I was in a mad rush to finish the day version of my 1860s purple gown, just in time for the tree lighting ceremony downtown. This was about 2:00…
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1860s Purple People Eater Ballgown Bodice – Musings
In my mad rush to get three pieces of 1860s attire (and let’s not even think about the accessories) done in time for a bevy of upcoming Victorian Christmas events, I’ve been…
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Progress on the 1860s “Purple People Eater” Gown
I have a million things going at the moment, and two major projects on the table, with all their various bits and bobs and parts and bodices and trims and underpinnings –…
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Oh What a Beautiful Mourning – “Death Becomes Her” at the Met, Opening October 31
On the evening of October 31, a somber shadow shall fall over the halls of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. For the first time in 15 years, the Costume Institute…
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Civil War Gown Inspiration and Plannings
…oh yes, *plannings* ! I have terrible Costume A-D-D at the moment. Terrible. One of the many things I want to make *right now* is a new Civil War gown. I can’t…
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My 2014 Steampunk Ball Costume – Complete!
So the ball was ages ago, but I didn’t have a good photo of my whole costume until today. As it stands, you can’t see much detail in this, but I didn’t…
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Hard Lessons in Victorian Corset Making – My “Duh” Moments…
Left side – boning, strength additions, and padding. I still have wrinkling, but it’s better than it was.Right side – no boning, no strength layers, no padding. I can make a mean…
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Costume College 2014: Part The One
So as you all know, I spent the long weekend in L.A., attending Costume College, which was, is, and shall forever be *fabulous* Between the smartphone and the 10 lb Nikon, I…